Posted By Troy E. Renck On February 27, 2009 @ 5:12 pm In Rockies on Deck | No Comments

At the plate:Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe delivered back-to-back RBI hits in the first inning, before the offense muted. Hawpe left with a lacerated left pinkie finger that will likely require stitches.

On the mound:Too amped in his desire to make a good impression, fifth starter candidate Greg Smith fumbled through a poor first inning before settling down. He allowed three hits and three walks in two innings. “I don’t usually get that (excited), but I think it came from being on a new team. I think I let it get to me a little bit,” Smith said. Greg Reynolds fought fastball command issues early, but had better sink on his fastball than last season.

In the field:Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki made two spectacular plays, snaring a groundball in the hole and throwing across his body for a force at second base followed by a running catch of a line drive.

Footnote: .Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia’s son Matt played at Tempe Diablo Stadium after the game. He is a catcher for Notre Dame, which faced Gonzaga.